The force's headquarters are at Hutton, near the city of Preston. The force has over 3,000 officers as well as 500 Police Community Support Officers. The routine patrol officer is not armed but does carry a baton, a CS spray, and handcuffs. All officers and civilian members of staff are required to wear a stab proof vest when on duty and "not in an office environment";
most choose to wear their vest at all times.

The force is split into eight divisions, six geographical and two tactical. However, the split is approximate, and divisions
are deliberately vague, giving a seamless approach to policing in the Lancashire area. The geographical divisions and their
headquarters are as follows:

Northern - Lancaster (B Division)

Western - Blackpool (A Division)

Central - Preston (D Division)

Southern - Leyland (C Division)

Eastern - Blackburn (E Division)

Pennine - Burnley (F Division)

The remaining two tactical divisions, labelled only "G (Operations)" and "T (Motorway)", are based at the force headquarters
in Preston.